From the Jefferson Davis State Historic
Site brochure:
Jefferson Davis State Historic Site
In 1907, at a reunion of the Orphan Brigade of the Confederate Army inGlasgow, Kentucky, plans were conceived for constructing a monument
at thebirthplace of Jefferson Davis in
Fairview, Kentucky. General Simon Bolivar
Buckner, a famous Confederate general from Munfordville, Kentucky,
proposeda resolution for building a monument at
Fairview to perpetuate the memory ofJefferson
Davis. The Jefferson David Home Association was formed and afund-raising campaign for the project was begun.
In April of 1909, the group paid $7,02 for seven tracts of land totaling20 acres, and approximately $150,000 was raised during the next
eight years.In 1917, construction of the
worldıs tallest concrete obelisk began. C. G.
Gregg of Louisville designed and ultimately carried the construction
throughto completion, but not before overcoming
many obstacles.
Although construction was started in 1917, the next year it wasnecessary to halt building operations because of World War I. The
partiallycompleted monument stood untouched for
several years and when constructionwas resumed,
costs had risen to such a level that the project ran intoserious financial difficulties.

The United Daughters of the Confederacy raised an additional
$20,000 andthe Kentucky General Assembly
appropriated $15,000 to pay for the cost of an
elevator.
On June 7, 1924, dedication ceremonies were held, seven years and$200,000 after construction began. The 351-foot tower is the
fourth-highestmonument in the United States.

The electric elevator was dedicated in 1929 and the monument wasrededicated in connection with Kentuckyıs observance of the 175thanniversary of statehood on September 16, 1967. The monument was
listed onthe National Register of Historic
Places in 1973. It was renovated in1977-78 and
again in 1988-90.
For further information call or write:
Jefferson Davis state Historic Site
P. O. Box 10
Fairview, Kentucky 42221-0010
(502) 886-1765
Also visit:
www.parks.ky.gov/statehistoricsites/jd/index.htm